HughesNet has rolled out new lower pricing for their satellite broadband service. The dilemma in rural areas is how to help residents and businesses get something better than dial up access when DSL or cable service is not an option, and the one to four year timeframe needed to bring fiber to rural homes may be too long.
Satellite broadband has steadily improved over the past several years, with prices that are now very competitive with cable and DSL, and improved systems make the long latency less of an issue. Because every packet has to make a 45,000 mile round trip, the delay (latency) is much longer than when packets traverse a terrestial route. But for routine email and Web surfing, most people would never notice. The latency tends to affect voice and video more.
The equipment and installation for the Hughes service is now down to about $300, easily affordable for most homes and businesses, and the monthly cost for 700 kilobits down and 128 kilobits up is $60, or not much more than what many people pay for cable modem service, with speeds close to what low end DSL services deliver. Business class services with a 1.5 megabit (T1) download speed and 300 kilobit upload speed starts at just $100--an excellent price. Business class equipment costs a bit more--about $600 for equipment and installation.
In rural areas, satellite from Hughes or Blue Sky, another satellite provider, is an excellent option to get a region less reliant on hundred year old copper copper technology and provide a bridge to a fully integrated fiber and wireless deployment.